A thematically integrated curriculum about Arab culture and history is developed each year to include the program areas noted below. In 2009, our theme explored Arab contributions to the sciences through the story of Ibn Al-Haytham who developed the scientific method and innovated the field of optics.
Arabic
Exposure to Arabic is a primary focus of the camp. During daily Arabic instruction, children speak, sing, read, listen and write Arabic in a fun and engaging way. Throughout the day they are encouraged to use Arabic vocabulary and phrases related to their various activities.
Nature/Science
Given the camp’s location adjacent to the Wissahickon Creek area of Fairmount Park, exploring nature is an integral part of the children’s daily experience. Through in/outdoor hands-on experiments, they learn about the plants, animals, geography, and various eco-systems of the Arab region in relation to their current environment.
Poetry/Identity
Campers explore aspects of their identity through poetry, as they reflect on topics such as home, family, and friendship. Their writings are compiled in an anthology that is given to each camper at the end of camp.
Drama & Storytelling
Campers learn about the rich storytelling traditions of the Arab world while learning drama techniques that allow them to creatively express themselves and tell their stories orally and dramatically. Their stories, which vary each year depending on the camp theme, are presented at an end-of-camp performance.
Music & Dance
Campers learn to appreciate the different quarter tones, maqamat, and rhythms in Arab music through live demonstrations by musicians and instruction in percussion and melody. Those with experience playing instruments have an opportunity to further their skills by learning to play some Arab music. They also learn Arab folklore dances ranging from the debkeh and Egyptian cane dance to Andalusian court dance. Each year campers learn to sing different Arabic songs integrated with the music and dance, all of which culminates in a performance at the end of camp.
Art & Architecture
The traditional arts, crafts and architectural heritage of the Arab/Muslim world are the focus of various hands-on projects that are integrated each year with the camp theme.
A collective alphabet project is made each year by camp participants. In 2006 the project entailed making linoleum cuts depicting animals for each letter of the alphabet. In 2007 collaged designs reflected Andalusia and Ziryab’s cultural legacy. The 2008 project used Palestinian-style cross-stitch embroidery to represent each letter of the alphabet. In 2009, images from manuscripts of Ibn Al-Haytham were the basis for the campers alphabet. See gallery of notecards for sale here.
